The brand new Ilyushin 96-400T displayed at the latest Moscow Air Show MAKS will be ready for service next month, according to its manufacturer. Capable of lifting 92 tonnes with a range of 5,200 km, the aircraft is currently undergoing certifi cation by theRussian aviation authorities.

“We have received inquiries from quite a number of airlines be it from China, Africa, South America and even Iran,” Victor V. Livanov, Ilyushin’s General Director told Payload Asia.

By early September Ilyushin has managed to sell 11 of the new aircraft, worth nearly US$75 million each. Launching carrier Atlant-Soyuz Airline however, was conceded a substantial discount for their fi rst freighter out of a total order of fi ve planes, costing them only US$57 million. The other six fi rm orders were placed by Russian Aerofl ot Cargo.